Co-application of beneficial microorganisms and nanoparticles to improve wheat growth in infected Fusarium culmorum soil

Fusarium species are globally recognized as highly detrimental soil-borne plant pathogen, posing a significant threat to various crops. This study investigates the potential of biosynthesized selenium (Se) and TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs), in conjunction with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Pseudomonas sp. and Enterobacter cloacae), to suppress the activity of F. culmorum and assess their impact on wheat growth and yield. Furthermore, the study evaluates the impact of these nanoparticles on selected soil chemical and biological properties. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design. The application of nanoparticles and bacteria reduced the disease severity index and even yielded improvements in all measured properties, compared to uninfected plants. Notably, the combination of TiO₂NPs and a mixture of bacteria led to a substantial 33.13 % increase in the 1000-grain weight, while TiO₂NPs+ Pseudomonas and SeNPs+ Pseudomonas treatments enhanced the concentration of phosphorus in grains. The highest selenium content in grains was observed in the SeNPs+mixture of bacteria treatment. In addition, the application of TiO₂NPs + mixture of bacteria and SeNPs+mixture of bacteria treatments led to an increase in microbial biomass carbon and soil respiration compared to the control group. The utilization of a synergistic approach involving plant growth promoting bacteria and nanoparticles holds great promise for enhancing wheat growth and bolstering its resilience against biotic stress, with the added benefit of Se biofortification in grains. This research underscores the potential of such innovative strategies for sustainable agriculture in the face of plant pathogenic threats.